Latch mechanism for a battery unit and electronic device having the same

Abstract

A latch mechanism for a battery unit includes a locking mechanism having a main body, at least one engaging mechanism, and at least one abutting portion. At least one tenon extends from the main body, and at least one ramp structure having an inclined surface extends from the main body. The engaging mechanism is arranged on a battery unit to receive the tenon. The abutting portion is arranged on the battery unit and has a contacting surface projected toward the inclined surface. When the locking mechanism is moved from the locking position to the released position, the contacting surface is abutted and lifted by the inclined surface, after the tenon has been completely disengaged from the engaging mechanism. The displacement of the contacting surface enables the battery unit to displace away from the inclined surface. The instant disclosure also includes an electronic device having the latch mechanism for a battery unit.

1 . A latch mechanism for locking and releasing a battery unit, comprising:
 a locking mechanism having a main body movably selectable between a locking position and a released position, the locking mechanism having at least one tenon and at least one ramp structure extended from the main body toward substantially the same direction,
 wherein the ramp structure defines an inclined surface slopping downward in the direction from the locking position toward the released position; 
   an engaging mechanism, fixedly arranged on the battery unit, having at least one mortise formed toward the locking mechanism for engaging the tenon in the locking position; and   at least one abutting portion fixedly arranged on the battery unit having a contacting surface corresponding to the ramp structure for establishing sliding contact there-with, the contacting surface being substantially parallel to the inclined surface of the ramp structure;   wherein when the locking mechanism is moved away from the locking position to the released position, the tenon disengages the engaging mechanism and the ramp structure raises the abutting portion in a manner that assists the extraction of the battery unit.   
     
     
         2 . The latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp structure is separated from the abutting portion by moving a distance which is greater than or equal to the length of the tenon inside the engaging mechanism when the locking mechanism is at the locking position. 
     
     
         3 . The latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a leading end is defined on each inclined surface in proximity of the main body, a tail end is oppositely defined on each inclined surface further away from the main body, a leading portion is defined on each contacting surface away from the battery unit, a tail portion is defined oppositely on each contacting surface and being closer to the battery unit, the leading portion of the contacting surface is moved from the leading end of the inclined surface toward the tail end of the inclined surface along the inclined surface when the locking mechanism is moved away from the locking position to the released position. 
     
     
         4 . The latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further has a pusher connected to the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The latch mechanism of  claim 4 , further comprising a cover adjacent to the battery unit, wherein an opening is formed on the cover to movably receive the pusher. 
     
     
         6 . The latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism and the abutting portion are integrally arranged on a shell body of the battery unit. 
     
     
         7 . The latch mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the shell body has a pair of side surfaces and a front surface facing toward the locking mechanism, wherein one abutting portion is formed on the inner side of each side surface, and wherein a pair of engaging mechanisms are formed on the front surface. 
     
     
         8 . The latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism has a pair of tenons extended from the main body and a pair of ramp structures extended from opposite ends of the main body. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a locking mechanism movably selectable between a locking position and a released position, the locking mechanism having   a main body,   at least one tenon and at least one ramp structure extended from the main body toward substantially the same direction,
 wherein the ramp structure defines an inclined surface slopping downward in the direction from the locking position toward the released position; 
   a battery unit, comprising
 an engaging mechanism fixedly arranged on the battery unit having at least one mortise formed toward the locking mechanism for engaging the tenon in the locking position, and 
 at least one abutting portion fixedly arranged on the battery unit having a contacting surface corresponding to the ramp structure for establishing sliding contact there-with, the contacting surface being substantially parallel to the inclined surface of the ramp structure; 
   wherein when the locking mechanism is moved away from the locking position, the tenon disengages the engaging mechanism and the ramp structure raises the abutting portion in a manner that assists the extraction of the battery unit.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the ramp structure is separated from the abutting portion by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the tenon inside the engaging mechanism when the locking mechanism is at the locking position.